Pennsylvania's Victim's Bill Of Rights

As a victim of crime in Pennsylvania you have the following rights:

In personal injury crimes, to be notified of the arrest of the suspect or the suspect's escape from police custody;

To be accompanied at all public criminal proceedings by a family member, a victim advocate or another person;

In case of personal injury crimes, burglary, or driving under the influence involving bodily injury, to submit prior comment to the prosecutor's office on the potential reduction or dropping of any charge or changing of a plea, if the victim so requests;

To offer prior comment or to submit a written impact statement for the judge's consideration at sentencing;

To obtain restitution to the extent possible, including compensation through the State Crime Victim's Compensation program;

Upon request, where the offender is sentenced to a state prison, to provide prior comment on and to receive notice of release decisions, and to be immediately notified if the offender escapes;

Upon request, in personal injury crimes, where the offender is sentenced to a local correctional facility, to receive notification of any release or escape of the offender, in addition to any relevant conditions imposed prior to release;

Upon prior request, to receive notice when an offender is committed to a mental health facility from a state prison and of the discharge, transfer or escape of the offender from the mental health facility, and;

Upon request, to have assistance in the preparation of, submission of and follow-up on the financial assistance claims for the state Victims' Compensation Fund.